Summer School on the Mosquito Lagoon
Summer is here and fish school is in session. The summer heat brings hot fishing in the Mosquito Lagoon. There are many options for anglers as the water temperatures heat up. The opportunity to find slot reds (18-27 inches) in large schools is almost a sure thing. The schools of giant “Slobberknockers” with 200 plus fish will be prevalent in many areas. Anglers may also find the hard fighting jack crevalle traveling in large schools. Jacks will destroy top water plugs and test your drag as the reel screams. Summertime is also a good time to catch sea trout along with the acrobatic ladyfish and there is always a chance to land a snook or tarpon.
Slot reds will be on the flats in shallow water in search of mullet, shrimp, small crabs and glass minnows. It is not unusual to see schools of 300 plus fish and sometimes large schools can be over 1000 fish. Last summer, I worked a school for a few weeks that had at least 1000 fish. These fish were willing to eat our bait every time we got it near them. These reds would eat top water plugs, Rip Tide Flats Chubs, gold spoons and live shrimp. The key of course was to place the bait in front on the school. We had several days when we caught over twenty redfish.
One day while we had three reds hooked up, the school passed our boat and it resembled a NASCAR race. The fish were nine wide and it was 75 yards from the front of the school to the back, it was really amazing.
The “Slobberknockers” take the cake in the summer. When you find a school of these fish the water turns red and resembles the Red Sea from the famous movie “The Ten Commandments”. These large fish are much smarter than the slot size fish. You must approach these fish quietly; using a push pole will help you catch more fish. If you choose to use a trolling motor, you must use it carefully or you will spook the fish. There are times when these fish will eat top water plugs and spoons, but live or cut bait usually works best. Just remember that these fish did not get so big by being stupid, you just have to be patient and take your time. When you hook one of these fish, you will know why I call them “Slobberknockers”. Hang on!
The mighty jack crevalles are great fighters. They are one of my favorite fish to catch on top water plugs. You can often see jacks in the distance busting baitfish on the surface. The schools move rapidly and destroy anything in their path. Jacks move much faster than redfish schools and that will help you tell the difference. Jacks will eat other baits, but the top water plug is best. Be careful when you land the fish, if you use the jack death grip you can paralyze the fish while you remove the hooks. Grab the fish behind the head on the two distinct black spots; this will immobilize the fish while you remove the hooks. Jacks are sure to test both your knots and tackle. Sea trout are always a good bet in the Mosquito Lagoon. Trout will slam your bait hard and you can easily catch over 50 fish in a relatively short time. My favorite bait is the Rip Tide 3-inch mullet in electric chicken rigged on a 1/8 ounce jig head. Trout also love top water plugs. Another of my favorite baits is a Rip Tide Pro Frog worked on the surface, these can drive trout crazy. Live pigfish is one of the main staples for sea trout. These are the natural enemy of trout. There are many guides who fish with nothing but pigfish in the summer. However you choose to fish for trout, they can bring plenty of action. Kids love to catch trout because it can provide constant action, a tight line is a happy line. Popping corks with a shrimp or pigfish below is a great way for kids to fish. Try a lightweight rod for added excitement.
The acrobatic ladyfish is always a fun fish to catch. They are sometimes referred to as the poor man’s tarpon. Ladyfish can peel some line and make some awesome jumps. They also make great cut bait for big reds. Ladyfish will hit just about any bait and sometimes will literally jump in the boat. Ladyfish are often mixed with the trout and the action can be fast and furious.
The Mosquito Lagoon also has a few snook and tarpon to target if you want to go for a grand slam. We don’t get too many snook due to the lack of current flow in the lagoon, but they are there if you know where to look. Tarpon move into the area in the summer and you can really have some fun with them. Usually a live mullet or pinfish will coax a tarpon to eat. I have hooked tarpon on cut bait while trying to catch redfish and tarpon can also be caught on fly rods.
Whatever you decide to target, the Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River Lagoon can provide the action. The estuary is thriving and all that is missing is you. Come to summer school and learn what a beautiful place exists in East Central Florida.
Tight Lines and Good Fishing!
Captain David Rogers has been fishing the Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River Lagoon since 1993. He is a native Floridian and has fished many lakes and rivers. Captain David owns and operates AAA Hawgwild Saltwater Charters and can be reached at 407-405-0819 or www.aaahawgwildcharters.com.
Summer is here and fish school is in session. The summer heat brings hot fishing in the Mosquito Lagoon. There are many options for anglers as the water temperatures heat up. The opportunity to find slot reds (18-27 inches) in large schools is almost a sure thing. The schools of giant “Slobberknockers” with 200 plus fish will be prevalent in many areas. Anglers may also find the hard fighting jack crevalle traveling in large schools. Jacks will destroy top water plugs and test your drag as the reel screams. Summertime is also a good time to catch sea trout along with the acrobatic ladyfish and there is always a chance to land a snook or tarpon.
Slot reds will be on the flats in shallow water in search of mullet, shrimp, small crabs and glass minnows. It is not unusual to see schools of 300 plus fish and sometimes large schools can be over 1000 fish. Last summer, I worked a school for a few weeks that had at least 1000 fish. These fish were willing to eat our bait every time we got it near them. These reds would eat top water plugs, Rip Tide Flats Chubs, gold spoons and live shrimp. The key of course was to place the bait in front on the school. We had several days when we caught over twenty redfish.
One day while we had three reds hooked up, the school passed our boat and it resembled a NASCAR race. The fish were nine wide and it was 75 yards from the front of the school to the back, it was really amazing.
The “Slobberknockers” take the cake in the summer. When you find a school of these fish the water turns red and resembles the Red Sea from the famous movie “The Ten Commandments”. These large fish are much smarter than the slot size fish. You must approach these fish quietly; using a push pole will help you catch more fish. If you choose to use a trolling motor, you must use it carefully or you will spook the fish. There are times when these fish will eat top water plugs and spoons, but live or cut bait usually works best. Just remember that these fish did not get so big by being stupid, you just have to be patient and take your time. When you hook one of these fish, you will know why I call them “Slobberknockers”. Hang on!
The mighty jack crevalles are great fighters. They are one of my favorite fish to catch on top water plugs. You can often see jacks in the distance busting baitfish on the surface. The schools move rapidly and destroy anything in their path. Jacks move much faster than redfish schools and that will help you tell the difference. Jacks will eat other baits, but the top water plug is best. Be careful when you land the fish, if you use the jack death grip you can paralyze the fish while you remove the hooks. Grab the fish behind the head on the two distinct black spots; this will immobilize the fish while you remove the hooks. Jacks are sure to test both your knots and tackle. Sea trout are always a good bet in the Mosquito Lagoon. Trout will slam your bait hard and you can easily catch over 50 fish in a relatively short time. My favorite bait is the Rip Tide 3-inch mullet in electric chicken rigged on a 1/8 ounce jig head. Trout also love top water plugs. Another of my favorite baits is a Rip Tide Pro Frog worked on the surface, these can drive trout crazy. Live pigfish is one of the main staples for sea trout. These are the natural enemy of trout. There are many guides who fish with nothing but pigfish in the summer. However you choose to fish for trout, they can bring plenty of action. Kids love to catch trout because it can provide constant action, a tight line is a happy line. Popping corks with a shrimp or pigfish below is a great way for kids to fish. Try a lightweight rod for added excitement.
The acrobatic ladyfish is always a fun fish to catch. They are sometimes referred to as the poor man’s tarpon. Ladyfish can peel some line and make some awesome jumps. They also make great cut bait for big reds. Ladyfish will hit just about any bait and sometimes will literally jump in the boat. Ladyfish are often mixed with the trout and the action can be fast and furious.
The Mosquito Lagoon also has a few snook and tarpon to target if you want to go for a grand slam. We don’t get too many snook due to the lack of current flow in the lagoon, but they are there if you know where to look. Tarpon move into the area in the summer and you can really have some fun with them. Usually a live mullet or pinfish will coax a tarpon to eat. I have hooked tarpon on cut bait while trying to catch redfish and tarpon can also be caught on fly rods.
Whatever you decide to target, the Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River Lagoon can provide the action. The estuary is thriving and all that is missing is you. Come to summer school and learn what a beautiful place exists in East Central Florida.
Tight Lines and Good Fishing!
Captain David Rogers has been fishing the Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River Lagoon since 1993. He is a native Floridian and has fished many lakes and rivers. Captain David owns and operates AAA Hawgwild Saltwater Charters and can be reached at 407-405-0819 or www.aaahawgwildcharters.com.
